Pastor Chris Oyakhilome

CONTENDING FOR LOST SOULS BY PASTOR CHRIS OYAKHILOME

But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them (2 Corinthians 4:3-4 NKJV).

When it comes to winning souls, we must recognise that we are engaged in a “fight.” The Apostle Paul calls it the good fight of faith, because there’re evil and desperately wicked spirits that seek to keep people away from experiencing salvation.

If the sinners don’t receive the Gospel, it’s not because our gospel is difficult or obscure; it’s because Satan has blinded their minds. That’s what we read in our opening verse. Satan is actively working to obstruct their understanding and reception of the truth; that’s why we must intercede for them.

Soul winning is more than just telling someone about Christ; there’s also the fight we fight in prayers. Even when they hear and accept our message, Satan still tries to hinder their growth and progress in Christ, attempting to impede their journey of spiritual maturity. What are we supposed to do? Fight! We contend for their souls in prayer.

It brings to mind what Paul said in Galatians 4:19, “My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you.” This is soul-travail! You pray passionately that every resistance to their spiritual growth and progress is broken; and that their desire for the things of the Spirit is sustained in them as they grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Have these in mind as you go forth preaching the Gospel everywhere.Always pray that those with whom you share  the message will receive it with faith,and that Satan’s bondage and deception are destroyed Amen.

Say these after Me, ‘Dear Father, I am grateful you entrusted me with the sacred task of sharing the message of eternal life with those around me and in distant lands. I’m filled with a deepened sense of zeal for lost souls, and I affirm that the radiant light of your glorious Gospel shines brightly in the hearts of the lost. I declare that this light dismantles the chains of religious bondage and dispels darkness, bringing forth freedom and salvation, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

2 Corinthians 3:6 [It is He] Who has qualified us [making us to be fit and worthy and sufficient] as ministers and dispensers of a new covenant [of salvation through Christ], not [ministers] of the letter (of legally written code) but of the Spirit; for the code [of the Law] kills, but the [Holy] Spirit makes alive.

2 Corinthians 5:18-19  But all things are from God, Who through Jesus Christ reconciled us to Himself [received us into favor, brought us into harmony with Himself] and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation [that by word and deed we might aim to bring others into harmony with Him]. 19 It was God [personally present] in Christ, reconciling and restoring the world to favor with Himself, not counting up and holding against [men] their trespasses [but cancelling them], and committing to us the message of reconciliation (of the restoration to favor).

Matthew 28:19-20 Go then and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 Teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you, and behold, I am with you all the days (perpetually, uniformly, and on every occasion), to the [very] close and consummation of the age. Amen (so let it be).

HOW TO GROW THAT BUSINESS WITH MORE GRACE BY PASTOR CHRIS OYAKHILOME

But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. (JAMES 4:6)

Grace is the supernatural influence at work in you that causes everything you do to prosper; it’s a divine enablement that causes increase, promotion, and progress! However, the degree to which you let the grace of God in you reflect on the outside is up to you. The more you fill your heart with God’s Word and have the Holy Spirit work in your life, the greater the workings of grace in your life.

You can and should increase in that outward reflection of the Glory of God in your spirit, to such an extent that others would see it and testify to it. They might not be able to explain it, but they’ll glorify God for His excellence that’s resplendent in you, and in all you do.

Some Christians are asking God for more anointing, but there’s nowhere in the Bible where it’s stated that God will give you more anointing. All you need is more grace. More grace gives you more capacity to accomplish or do more. As you succeed and make progress, God expands your coast; He increases your ability. Hallelujah!

Perhaps you’ve been managing a business at a certain scale, and now you want to grow it to be ten times or even a hundred times bigger, you need more grace. Otherwise, you may not be able to sustain the new level of growth and increase, because you don’t have the capacity to manage the business at that level. Some people think that in such circumstances what they need is more money, no; they need more grace.

See The Word in Pictures By Pastor Chris Oyakhilome

While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal (2 CORINTHIANS 4:18)

When you study the Scriptures, learn to do so with pictures; see with the eyes of your spirit; believe and act accordingly. It’s the blessings that your spirit takes a hold of that’ll manifest in your life. Therefore, as you listen to, or study the Word, visualize your victory, prosperity, health, peace, progress and success from within, and affirm accordingly.

Before the physical manifestation of the glory and victories that you desire in life, you must see them first within you. Once you can see it from within, then it’s yours. You can never have it on the outside if you didn’t first have it within. That’s where some have missed it. They want to see first with their physical eyes before calling it real; that’s not faith. Faith is calling real that which the physical senses can’t perceive.

For example, God said to Abraham, “Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee” (Genesis 17:5-6). Abraham first had to visualise himself as the father of many nations. At the time God spoke to him, he was ninety-nine years old, and Sarah his wife, was equally old and barren.

Nevertheless, the Bible says, “He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God” (Romans 4:20). In Genesis 15:5, the Lord had  said to him, “Look  now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and… So shall thy seed be.” Abraham believed. He saw the picture of his uncountable descendants—numerous as the stars—from within.

What is it that you desire in your life today? Is it a child? See it inside first. Is it the growth and expansion of your church, a new job or business? Create the picture and take possession in the spirit, and with your spirit, first, because it’s already real in the spirit-realm. Hallelujah!

PRAYER

Dear Father, thank you for the gift to comprehend the wonderful blessings you’ve prepared for me to enjoy in Christ. I visualize my victory, prosperity, health, peace, progress and success in your Word by the power of the Holy Spirit, and take possession of these realities through my faith proclamations. The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places, and indeed, I have a goodly heritage. Hallelujah!